When I consider whether or not we could have gone to the moon, there is one major nagging problem I keep seeing; man cannot exhist outside the electomagnetic shield (Van Allen Radiation Belt) around the planet.

That is why everything is done in hight earth orbit, within the shield.

I can't remember who it was, but I saw an analysis performed which compared the dates and times of various moon shots to solar flares. It was further explained, the capsuls, due to their construction, and makeup, provided no protection against solar flares. All astronots.. hehe.. on board would have been killed.